Cuomo Nominates New ESDC Chair

Gov. Andrew Cuomo nominated Julie Shimer for chairwoman of the Empire State Development Corporation, his office announced today.

The appointment of Shimer, the CEO and president of the Skaneateles Falls-based Welch Allyn, is subject to Senate approval.

From the statement sent this afternoon:

“Julie Shimer is joining a first-class team of economic development leaders including Lieutenant Governor Robert Duffy and Empire State Development Corporation President Kenneth Adams,” Governor Cuomo said. “Her extensive experience in the upstate and downstate business communities will be essential to the reconstruction of New York’s economy. Attracting and retaining business in New York is job number one, and Julie and the rest of the ESDC team will work tirelessly to make that happen.”

Cuomo’s nomination of an upstate businesswoman to chair the chief job-creating agency dovetails with an earlier announcement that Adams, a Brooklyn native, would become president and CEO succeeding the outgoing Dennis Mullen.

Cuomo’s plan for economic development in the state includes creating regional economic councils that will compete with each other for job-growth ideas.